The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-07-01
WASHINGTON LETTER

tFrom our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, d. c., June 9th, 1887.
Queen Victoria's Jubilee was cee-
brated to some extent, even in this the
Capitol OF the greatest of Republics
President Cleveland sent congratula-
tory cablegram, Mr.. West, the British
Minister gave a great dinner, to which
many distinguished guests sat down,
and "Victoria Memorial Room" was
dedicated at the Garfield Hospital,
with appropriate ceremonies, by the
Society of st. George. The "Star
Spangled Banner" and "God Save the
Queen" being sung in honor of the
Queens Jubilee.
Speaking of the Queen, reminds me
of the return of our own lovely, youth
full, yet crownless queen, Mrs. Cleve-
land who, for a time, holds undisputed
sway in the hearts of the American
people, simply as the peoples own
daughter, who has become the first
'Iady of the Land" From her i'm
proved appearance, and bright cheer
full manner and conversation far more
30 than usual--it seems Mrs. Cleveland
has immensely enjoyed the brief res.
pite from the duties imposed on her at
the White House. In fact she takes
the public into her confidence, and in-
forms them of the plans of the Presi-
dent and herself for the remainder of
the summer. She says that she will
probably be able to visit some Michi-
gan friends when the President goes to
st. Louis, after which they will both
extend the trip to Kansas City, Chi
cago, Milwaukee, Detroit, Grand Rap.
ids and perhaps other Western Cities.
The printers of Washington are ex-
ercised because the Commissioners, act
ing under the law which Authorizes
them TO let it it the lowest bidder,
have given the District printing con-
tract to a Philadelphia firm. The
Printers Union have taken up the mat
ter and there is prospect of much
Indignation, as it will take $4,000
out of the hands of Printers here, and
throw number of them out of employ
ment; at least so per cent was saved
on the contract.
A special officer of the Pension
Bureau arrested in Ga, the other day
several persons, who in collusion with
an old blind soldier, swindled the Gov.
ernment out Of $4,000 in pension
money. Such frauds are always vain,
because the Government invarisbly
overhauls the offenders and inhicts
punishmant commensurate with the
enormity Of the crime. 1t is better to
swindle ones own neighbors than your
vigilant and relentless Uncle Sam, who
never forgives nor forgets offenses.
In the thru story of the Patent
Office, the model cases have been re-
moved TO the Southern corridor, to
make space for twelve new rooms,
which are now being erected, to re-
lieve the crowded rooms in other por-
tions of the building. OF all the Gov
ernment Departments, perhaps the
different Bureaus of the Interior De.
partment show the largest, healthiest,
and most constant growth. 1t is one
OF the most important and extensive of
the Departments, really more so than
any other, if we except the Treasury.
The belief that Secretary Lamar
will be appointed to the Supreme
Court vacancy early next fall is firmly
impressed on the public mind and the
Secretary's successors being discussed
Assistant Secretary Muldrow and Com
missioner of Pensions Black, among
the number.
To give you an idea of the strict di.
scipline of the Washington police,
will mention that one of the force has
been dismissed fromoffice for plucking
a magnolia blossom from the Capitol
grounds. This looks hard, but it is Just
for these guardians of the city have no
right, in ths smallest particular, to be-
tray the trust reposed in them.
Within the past week 30 many promi-
nent Democratic Statesmen have ar
rived in this city that there are those
who think an important conference on
party policy is pending and that it
will be followed by good results, all of
which / hope is really true.
The fact that Secretary Fairchild
ordered by telegraph the prepayment
of the July interest on bonds, amount
ing to about $4,000, 900, caused some
alarm in financial circles, when consid-
cred with reference to recent monetary
disasters in New York, Cincinnati and
Chicago, but the Secretary explains his
sction by saying that il was not due to
any apprehension about the financial
situation; the interest being due July
lst, and the checks made out, tie De
partment was put to no inconvenience
and the effect, he believed, would be
reassurino.